Freight management software provider Carrier Logistics Inc. (CLI) has introduced a new routing logic and planning optimization solution that enables full terminal optimization, allowing fleets to very quickly and automatically have every shipment for every customer at every terminal planned for the right trailer in the right sequence.
The AI-driven software module – the latest enhancement to the CLI FACTS freight management system – helps trucking fleet operators determine which deliveries should be loaded onto each truck and in what sequence, creating extremely precise, fully optimized route plans that account for specialty equipment, appointment time windows, predicted traffic and commercial vehicle routing.
The module is designed to improve efficiency and profitability for less-than-truckload, last-mile and parcel delivery companies. It is fully integrated with CLI’s cross dock and yard management systems, which provide full visibility of each trailer at terminals, dock door and yard slot locations and provide a means of coordinating cross-dock activity with yard moves.
“Our new route optimization module in FACTS ensures that fleets meet all of their service commitments efficiently, minimizing costs, both on the street in terms of miles driven and in the terminal in terms of how long it takes to generate a delivery plan – something that could otherwise take hours manually,” CLI President Ben Wiesen said in a news release.
He said deploying computerized route optimization significantly reduces the time to generate pickup and delivery routes each day because the system can route an entire terminal’s deliveries in just three to five minutes, allowing deliveries to be loaded on trailers earlier.
Weisen told the CCJ that this new offering will “revolutionize delivery fleet optimization across the LTL and final-mile delivery markets.”
“Those carriers not using optimization capabilities like what we are offering will struggle to compete with tech-empowered carriers,” Wiesen said.
He said the AI technology used in the module supports the complex operations of CLI’s trucking clients so they can service their customers more efficiently while reducing service failures and lowering costs.
“More efficient routing reduces miles driven and the corresponding time to drive those miles – both saving the payroll expense for the hours saved and the mileage expense for the miles eliminated,” Wiesen added. “Service failures occur for many reasons, including missing time windows and not having the right equipment. Because the optimization solves for both, there should be fewer missed time commitments and fewer incidents of the wrong trailer being used.”